The Perfect Father

Father, Dad, Daddy.  That word can do many things to a person.  For some, like me, it brings up good memories of a father who was present and taught and loved.  For others, it may drudge up things you’d like to forget.  Even further, for some it may bring mixed emotions.  The thing about it is, all of us are somehow affected by that word.  

Interestingly enough, it’s not just a word.  It’s a title.  It’s a person.  It’s unique to everybody across the world.  Dare I say, it’s a calling.  

Fathers are special.  The word can bring to mind leadership.  For many of us, our father was the head of the household. The message and the motivation of the father was meaningful to the whole house.  For others, there was no father, no guidance.  For some others, he may have been there but not been much.  

I can’t help but picture two scenarios when I think about fathers.  Both of which, are first-hand experiences for me.  

First of all, let’s take a look at my father.  Taylor Reynolds.  If you know my dad, there’s so much that can be said about him.  He’s a great man.  He loves fully.  He’s dedicated.  He likes his crime shows.  He’s proud of his kids and grandkids.  He loves Jesus.  He’s talented.  The list could go on and on.  For me, he was and is there.  He’s encouraging and doesn’t take a whole lot of crap off anyone.  For those of us who know him real well, we know his favorite place is his chair and as the years go by, he loves that spot more and more.  All that to say, I am extremely blessed to have a father like him.  

Then I think about my son.  He’s almost 14 months old.  He’s been living with us since he was about 5 months old.  And notice, I said my son.  He’s our foster son, but he’s just as much my son as anybody.  I’m the only father he’s got (well leaving God out of the thought).  A couple of months ago, that hit me.  This kid has no earthly father, except me.  I’ve wrote about the privilege and honor of foster parenting, and it’s becoming more and more real to me.  He needs a father.  More than that he needs a dad.  I’m here to stand in the gap, God-willing forever!  

Not to mention how much my job affords me to be a father-figure.  That’s a post that could go on for days!

So, what does this have to do with anything?  Well, I see it this way.  Some of you are looking for a father.  Some of you want to know how to be a better father.  Some of you need to step and be a father.  Some of you need know how to inspire and encourage your husbands and boyfriends to be prepared to be a father.  The best answer to all those queries is to know that God is the perfect Father.  

Maybe you didn’t have a father.  Maybe you did and he wasn’t there.  Maybe you had a great father.  What we all have in common is, we still have a need for our perfect father.  As great as my earthly father is, he doesn’t measure up to God.  

God’s the perfect Father.  He’s never going to leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6).  His love lasts forever, despite what you do (Psalm 106:1; Romans 8:38-39).  He’s approachable (Hebrews 4:16).  Even though you may have done everything to ruin any chance at a relationship with Him, He STILL cares for you and wants a relationship with you (Romans 5:8).  

So all that to say, as fathers, let’s strive to be better!  As believers, let’s trust in our perfect Father.  He’s waiting for us to do that.  He’s longing for us to do that.